'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/115/170/original/2020-01-28_05-14-43.png?1580156104" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="115170"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>TRACKING RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS - As the 'season' for quarterly results picks up again, this series of daily insights will summarise the announcements released over the previous twenty-four hours and highlight 'winners' and 'losers' using our scoring methodology for both Results and Revisions. Until the number of daily announcements becomes excessive, we shall focus on companies with a market capitalisation fo over ¥50 billion.SCORING METHODOLOGY - Results Scores are calculated using the most recent eight quarters of company data for Revenues, Operating Income and Operating Margin and, for each, measure the rate, degree and consistency of change. The score has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period. The Forecast/Revision Score is based on both Annual and Interim period company forecasts and compares changes from previous forecasts as well as against the trailing twelve-month (TTM) or previous first-half results, with annual forecasts being double-weighted. This score also has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period.  The combined Results &amp; Revision Score (RRS) is the average of the Results Score and the Forecasts/Revision Score. These scores are then cap-weight aggregated into Sector and Market Composite Scores for which the seventeen-year track record is shown above.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/115/171/original/2020-01-28_05-28-10.png?1580156919" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="115171"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics/Cabinet Office</div>TRENDING LOWER - Although the Results Score has been moving sideways since November, the Forecast/Revision Score continues to make new ten-year lows. This downward trend is in accord with the Cabinet Office Business Conditions Leading Indicator which reached a new post-GFC low in November, before the impact of the Coronavirus.<div class="content-highlight">Note that our Scoring of both Results and Forecasts/Revisions has a strong momentum component which may lead reported earnings which tend to be a lagging indicator, hence the tighter correlations with the Leading Indicator and the market.</div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsTRACKING RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS - As the 'season' for quarterly results picks up again, this series of daily insights will summarise the announcements released over the previous twenty-four hours and highlight 'winners' and 'losers' using our scoring methodology for both Results and Revisions. Until the number of daily announcements becomes excessive, we shall focus on companies with a market capitalisation fo over ¥50 billion.SCORING METHODOLOGY - Results Scores are calculated using the most recent eight quarters of company data for Revenues, Operating Income and Operating Margin and, for each, measure the rate, degree and consistency of change. The score has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period. The Forecast/Revision Score is based on both Annual and Interim period company forecasts and compares changes from previous forecasts as well as against the trailing twelve-month (TTM) or previous first-half results, with annual forecasts being double-weighted. This score also has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period.  The combined Results &amp; Revision Score (RRS) is the average of the Results Score and the Forecasts/Revision Score. These scores are then cap-weight aggregated into Sector and Market Composite Scores for which the seventeen-year track record is shown above.Source • Japan Analytics/Cabinet OfficeTRENDING LOWER - Although the Results Score has been moving sideways since November, the Forecast/Revision Score continues to make new ten-year lows. This downward trend is in accord with the Cabinet Office Business Conditions Leading Indicator which reached a new post-GFC low in November, before the impact of the Coronavirus.Note that our Scoring of both Results and Forecasts/Revisions has a strong momentum component which may lead reported earnings which tend to be a lagging indicator, hence the tighter correlations with the Leading Indicator and the market.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Daily Roundup - 27th January - Too Early to Call a Bottom

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Event-Driven

With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP)</a> exploring bids for its <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-chemical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14457:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP)</a> unit we examine the subsidiary's array of businesses to try and assess how realistic the reported ¥800bn valuation that has been reported is.

With Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) exploring bids for its Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP) unit we examine the subsidiary's array of businesses to try and assess how realistic the reported ¥800bn valuation that has been reported is.

Hitachi Chemical: How Can You Justify an ¥800bn Valuation?

Doing bespoke work since 2002....., Custom Products Group

Patrick Hansen

Doing bespoke work since 2002.....

Custom Products Group

Custom Products was started 14 years ago at Lehman Brothers by current co-founder Patrick Hansen, CFA. After 3 years at Lehman, Patrick moved the team to Macquarie Securities where Simon Rigney (co-founder) joined. 3 years ago we took Custom Products independent. 

Our core strength can be summed up three words. 1- Customization - we have very little off the shelf products and most work is done on a one on one bespoke basis. 2- Speed - We pride ourselves in our ability to get requests back to the client very quickly. 3- Confidentiality - We do not redistribute. There is no grace period where we wait a week and then mass blast. Any request stops with that client.

We looked back and identified which factors drove the Japanese market in 2018. We found that Value, which is historically strong in Japan, did poorly and really the only investment styles/factors that did well were large-cap and names with a high percent of retail investors.

We looked back and identified which factors drove the Japanese market in 2018. We found that Value, which is historically strong in Japan, did poorly and really the only investment styles/factors that did well were large-cap and names with a high percent of retail investors.  

2018 Was Not the Year for Value or Beta Names in Japan....

With summer starting to wind down, we put together a screen looking at names that have historically done the best from September through the end of the year. Please make no mistake, seasonality exists in Japan. We calculated the returns from September 1st to December 31st going back to 1996.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/7245" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7245:1">Nidec Corp (6594 JP)</a> top the list with an 82% success rate and an average return of 13%. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/17620" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17620:1">JSR Corp (4185 JP)</a> is next also with an 82% success rate and a median return of 13%. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/14457" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14457:1">Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP)</a> also…

With summer starting to wind down, we put together a screen looking at names that have historically done the best from September through the end of the year. Please make no mistake, seasonality exists in Japan. We calculated the returns from September 1st to December 31st going back to 1996.  Nidec Corp (6594 JP) top the list with an 82% success rate and an average return of 13%. JSR Corp (4185 JP) is next also with an 82% success rate and a median return of 13%. Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP) also…

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Last week in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-passive-boj-heading-for-trouble-with-nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:21980">JAPAN PASSIVE:  BOJ Heading For Trouble with Nikkei 225</a> I discussed the BOJ's past and current ETF purchasing selection, ownership, and the expected impact from its purchases going forward. <h2>NOT, MAYBE, and LIKELY Problems</h2>NOT A PROBLEM: The fact that the BOJ owned 80.7% of the ETFs outstanding at the end of June.MAYBE A PROBLEM: The fact that BOJ-owned ETFs own 15% or more of 6 names on a look-through basis and more than 10% of 30+ names looks a bit odd.LIKELY A PROBLEM: Based on June month-end prices and the existing program of purchasing ¥5.7 trillion/year of ETFs under the 'regular index' Asset Purchase Plan (ETFs tracking TOPIX, the Nikkei 225, and JPX-Nikkei400 as discussed in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-passive-boj-heading-for-trouble-with-nikkei-225" target="_blank">previous insight</a>), over the next 12 months the BOJ would purchase 16-18% of the remaining real float in Fast Retailing, and even more of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/320" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:320:1">FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co Ltd (8028 JP)</a>, as well as more than 5% of the remaining float of a half dozen other names in its ETF ownership universe.<h2>What To Do?</h2>The previous insight proposed possible changes to the BOJ's buying patterns and possible changes to the Nikkei 225. This insight delves into the risk metrics of a Nikkei-related trade in greater detail. That's a good start. If the BOJ or Nikkei makes changes, there is probably A LOT more to go.

Last week in JAPAN PASSIVE:  BOJ Heading For Trouble with Nikkei 225 I discussed the BOJ's past and current ETF purchasing selection, ownership, and the expected impact from its purchases going forward. NOT, MAYBE, and LIKELY ProblemsNOT A PROBLEM: The fact that the BOJ owned 80.7% of the ETFs outstanding at the end of June.MAYBE A PROBLEM: The fact that BOJ-owned ETFs own 15% or more of 6 names on a look-through basis and more than 10% of 30+ names looks a bit odd.LIKELY A PROBLEM: Based on June month-end prices and the existing program of purchasing ¥5.7 trillion/year of ETFs under the 'regular index' Asset Purchase Plan (ETFs tracking TOPIX, the Nikkei 225, and JPX-Nikkei400 as discussed in the previous insight), over the next 12 months the BOJ would purchase 16-18% of the remaining real float in Fast Retailing, and even more of FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co Ltd (8028 JP), as well as more than 5% of the remaining float of a half dozen other names in its ETF ownership universe.What To Do?The previous insight proposed possible changes to the BOJ's buying patterns and possible changes to the Nikkei 225. This insight delves into the risk metrics of a Nikkei-related trade in greater detail. That's a good start. If the BOJ or Nikkei makes changes, there is probably A LOT more to go.

JAPAN PASSIVE:  The Nikkei 225 Baskets if BOJ Changes

Japan

NITTO DENKO CORPORATION manufactures and markets a wide range of chemical products which are used as materials for industrial and electronic components. The Company's products include materials for sealants, semiconductors, and wrappings.  Nitto Denko has a network of sales/manufacturing subsidiaries worldwide.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Nitto Denko (6988 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Daily Roundup - 27th January - Too Early to Call a Bottom

TRACKING RESULTS & REVISIONS - As the 'season' for quarterly results picks up again, this series of daily insights will summarise the...

Campbell Gunn

Hitachi Chemical: How Can You Justify an ¥800bn Valuation?

With Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) exploring bids for its Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP) unit we examine the subsidiary's array of businesses to try and assess...

Mio Kato

2018 Was Not the Year for Value or Beta Names in Japan....

We looked back and identified which factors drove the Japanese market in 2018. We found that Value, which is historically strong in Japan, did...

Custom Products Group

Best Japanese Performers in the Fall....

With summer starting to wind down, we put together a screen looking at names that have historically done the best from September through the end of...

Custom Products Group

JAPAN PASSIVE: The Nikkei 225 Baskets if BOJ Changes

Last week in JAPAN PASSIVE: BOJ Heading For Trouble with Nikkei 225 I discussed the BOJ's past and current ETF purchasing selection, ownership,...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)